They have a similar name and look, I suppose, but this is really an apples and oranges thing:
McKellar has spent much of her life in the public eye as an actress and is simply put, more well-rounded in her pursuits and personality. She's aware of gender stereotypes and seems to actively enjoy engaging questioning them.
Patrick has focused almost exclusively on racing, and as such, is far more self-absorbed and focused on a narrow goal. Gender is an element in her career that she'll certainly leverage to her advantage, although many times, especially early-on, it has been an obstacle as well. At this level of competition, I guarantee you that when she's in the car, she's not thinking twice about her gender and neither is anyone that wants to compete with her.
I vote McKeller cause my sister looked just like her at the height of Wonder Years fame and so her nickname was Winnie. She hated it but now I cant see a picture of McKeller without thinking, aww my sis :).
If my dad knew how to use email, he would so be sending me this article with the message, "See, some people's daughters actually want to drive race cars for a living."
@Spaceman Bill Leah: Well, not this article specifically because I am pretty damn sure my father is not a Jezebel reader. Actually, his style would be more like having my mother mail me a clipping from the newspaper about this.
I really want to like Danica Patrick and root for her whenever I watch a race, but sometimes she makes it really hard. But, in Sports Illustrated's defense, you really can't lump anything involving the swimsuit issue with the rest of the magazine. It's a yearly fluke (that happens to keep the mag afloat for the rest of the year).
Danica McKellar is one of those women I wish I were friends with, because she just seems SO COOL. Smart and fun and unashamed to be either. I either want to go out for drinks with her, do her, or be her.
My BIL is a racing team owner and helped train Danica Patrick when she was a kid. Apparently, she has a younger sister, Brooke, who is a better driver then she is but hasn't ever made it big because she isn't as attractive or sexy (or at least, isn't as willing to exploit her looks) as her sister.
I found it moderately interesting that no mention was made about the fact that they have a similar 'Look'. (As, sadly, I know that would be the first thing a few of the menz would notice.)
@elysium_kitschen: i hate it when people do this, but at the same time... I occasionally do this too. She's right, it IS easier, but that doesn't mean its what you should be doing.
@elysium_kitschen: She's in a field of specialization that few things approach - anything she can do to delegate things that are tangential, and concentrate on her primary goal, winning races, could be a noticeable improvement.
Remember what happened when Shaq decided to rap? To act?
06/10/09
McKellar has spent much of her life in the public eye as an actress and is simply put, more well-rounded in her pursuits and personality. She's aware of gender stereotypes and seems to actively enjoy engaging questioning them.
Patrick has focused almost exclusively on racing, and as such, is far more self-absorbed and focused on a narrow goal. Gender is an element in her career that she'll certainly leverage to her advantage, although many times, especially early-on, it has been an obstacle as well. At this level of competition, I guarantee you that when she's in the car, she's not thinking twice about her gender and neither is anyone that wants to compete with her.
06/10/09
06/10/09
Maybe that sounded stalkerish but I care not.
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
06/10/09
More Winnie Cooper pls.
06/10/09
06/10/09
Wowzas. Way to put us back a couple o' decades there, Ms. Patrick. Kinda hypocritical, and kinda makes you sound like an a-hole.
06/10/09
06/10/09
Remember what happened when Shaq decided to rap? To act?